476 On Howebottom, by Rev. James Farquharson, M.A. 



over the ground. Thus, Birch trees are most numerous, as 

 might be expected, in the neighbourhood of the old Birchwood 

 at the S.E. corner of the ground. The Hawthorn appears most 

 abundantly in the middle ground, and under the shelter of the 

 high surrounding woods ; while the Mountain Ash prevails in 

 the upper regions, and indeed it alone grows in the highest and 

 most exposed corner, becoming there a stunted tree or shrub, but 

 still holding its ground, although evidently sore battered by the 

 winter winds. There are a good many Scotch Firs (Pinus 

 sylvestris) along the line of the Bowhill wood, and a few occur at 

 a distance from the wood. Some specimens of the Ash (Fraxinus 

 excelsior) are scattered up and down the whole area, but not one 

 Oak, Beech, or Elm, nor a single Holly. Next to those already 

 mentioned, the most conspicuous objects are three species of 

 Sallow, — Salix aurita, 8. caprea, and 8. cinerea, — which are 

 abundant and flourish vigorously, 8. caprea often rising to the 

 dignity of a well-stemmed tree. When I have named these eight 

 species, I have exhausted the list of native trees, and tree-like 

 shrubs growing in Howebottom, for I scarcely think a place in 

 the list should be given to the solitary Plane (Acer Pseudo- 

 platanus) on which I lighted. 



As regards smaller shrubs, the Easpberry is pretty abundant ; 

 but I saw only one Eose-bush {Rosa canina), and no trace of 

 the Bramble. A few plants of Juniper (Juniperus communis), 

 which is rare in the district, grow among the heather on the 

 height. 



Turning now to plants of humble growth, it may be remarked 

 that some species have occupied large spaces to the exclusion of 

 every other. Taking a view of the whole ground, perhaps the 

 Bracken (Pteris aquilina) is the plant that has most conspicuously 

 asserted itself. Many acres bear bracken and nothing else, ex- 

 cept the scattered trees and shrubs that stand among the fern. 

 At one spot, where it has found both soil and shelter good, it 

 attains a height of over six feet, and presents a serious obstacle 

 to the steps of the wandering botanist. Elsewhere, and 

 especially towards the highest part of the ground, the common 

 heather or ling ( Calluna vulgaris) occupies large spaces, and is 

 evidently spreading to the eradication of grasses and other plants 

 around the territory it has already subdued. I looked for Erica 

 Tetralix and E. cinerea, but found neither of them. The grasses 



